Rolling contact label printer and applicator



July 11, 1967 [35 N 3,330,207

ROLLING CONTACT LABEL PRINTER AND APPLICATOR Filed 001. 4} 1965 8Sheets-Sheet 1 July 11, 1967 DE MAN 3,330,207

ROLLING CONTACT LABEL PRINTER AND APiLICATOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct.3, 1965 July 11, 1967 H. T. DE MAN ROLLING CONTACT LABEL PRINTER ANDAPPLICATOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 3- Filed Oct.

NQN Q QQW wit H. T. DE MAN 3,330,207 ROLLING CONTACT LABEL PRINTER ANDAPPLIGATOR July 11, 1967 8 SheetsSheet 4 Filed Oct. 4, 1965 H. T. DE MANJuly 11, 1967 ROLLING CONTACT LABEL PRINTER AND APPLICATOR 8Sheets-f5heet Filed Oct.

July 11, 1967 DE MAN 3,330,297

ROLLING CONTACT LABEL PRINTER AND APPLICA'IOR Filed OCC. 1965 8Sheets-Sheet '3 J7J J76 .7714, 39 J77 'm Eflli:

H. T. DE MAN 3,330,207

ROLLING CONTACT LABEL PRINTER AND APPLICATOH July 11, 1967 8Sheets-Sheet 'F Filed Oct.

H. T. DE MAN 3,330,26/

ROLLING CONTACT LABEL PRINTER AND APPLICATOR July 11, 1967 8Sheets-Sheet E- Filed Oct. 1.965

Z V/ wm Ta/67222? aZvUe Vmz/ United States Patent C) 3,336,207 RQLLINGCONTACT LABEL PRINIER AND APPLICATGR Heiko T. de Man, Moraga, Califi,assignor to Dynamic Research Corporation, Moraga, Calif., a corporationof California Filed Oct. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 492,470 13 Claims. (Cl.101-92) This invention pertains to a machine for printing upon anddispensing labels, and particularly relates to an improved, hand-heldlabel printer and applicator.

A general object of this invention is to provide an easy and effectivemanner for printing and applying pricing labels, and the like, tomerchandise.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for printingand dispensing labels which include provisions for readily varying thecontent of the indicia to be printed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter noted which is adapted to print upon a label, a plurality oflines of indicia, each variable as to content, such as retail orwholesale price, discount, etc.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in a hand-held labelapplicator provisions for rotary printing of single lines of indicia ona label as the label is advanced from a supply to a dispensing position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thecharacter noted which includes facilities for rotary printing of anaxially extending line of indicia on a web moving incrementally throughsuch apparatus.

Concomitant the foregoing object, it is yet another object of theinvention to provide an elongated web having removably retained thereona plurality of labels indexed to register with the label printing anddispensing apparatus of the character noted.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a label printerand applicator including a supply of labels designed therefor which issimple to operate, highly practical to use, and is flexibly adapted toprint selectable, varying indicia upon labels.

Additional objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has beenset forth in detail in conjunc tion with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a label printing and dispensing machinemade in accordance with and embodying the features of the presentinvention, certain portions being shown in broken lines in the interestof clarity;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views showing a length of tape especially adapted tocooperate in the combination of the present invention, these viewsdepicting the sequence in which printed indicia is placed upon a labelincluded with such tape, the label being subsequently deposited upon anarticle;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of the frame or casing of theinstant label printing and dispensing machine;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the opposite side of a forward sideportion of the frame shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, perspective view of a doublepawl elementcooperable with a trigged actuator or motion supplying means of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view in the scale of FIG. 7 showing the triggerelement;

FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional viewtaken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 9-9 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the underside of the cover depicted inFIG. 5, but in an enlarged scale;

FIG. 11 is a transverse, sectional view in the scale of FIG. 9 takengenerally in the direction of the arrows along the line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a transverse, sectional view in the scale of FIG. 9 takengenerally in the direction of the arrows along the line 12-12 of FIG. 9and showing the arrangement of a clutch and sprocket drive included inthe present machine;

FIGS. 13(a) and 13(1)) are enlarged, perspective views of spring mountsincluded in the cover shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally in thedirection of the arrows along the line 14-14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged longitudinal, sectional view taken in thedirection of the arrows along the line 15-15 of FIG. 2 showing the geartrain and ratchet-and-pawl arrangement in the present machine;

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view taken generally inthe direction of the arrows along the line 16-16 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 17 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, greatly enlarged,taken generally in the direction of the arrows along the line 17-17 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, transverse, fragmentary, vertical, sectionalview taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 18-18 of FIG.16;

FIG. 19 is an exploded, perspective view of the sprocket and firstplaten of the present machine;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged, perspective view of the top guide flap of thepresent machine;

FIG. 20(a) is an enlarged, perspective view of the bottom guide flap ofthe present machine;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional view taken inthe direction of the arrows along the line 21-21 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 21(a) is a perspective view, on a reduced scale from FIG. 21, of avariable printing head of the present machine;

FIG. 21(b) is an exploded, perspective view, generally in the scale ofFIG. 21(a), of the variable printing head;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, sectional view takengenerally in the direction of the arrows along the line 22-22 of FIG. 21showing the variable printing head, rotatable platen and ink supplymeans of the present machine;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal, ver tical, sectionalview taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 23-23 of FIG.21 showing the oval gears of the present machine; and,

FIG. 24 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view of the rotatableplaten and oval gear of the present machine.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 there isshown a label printer and applicator 11 made in accordance with andembodying the principles of the present invention. Generally, theconfiguration of the label printer and applicator machine 11 is that ofa hand-gun or pistol, which configuration and appearance is lent by anenclosing type frame or housing (best shown in FIG. 5) having projectingtherefrom a rearwardly extending pistol grip handle 12 shapedcomfortably to fit the hand and within easy finger reach of a trigger13.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 5, it will be seen that thehousing of the machine 11 includes a central frame member 14, the lowerend of which defines the right-half 12a of the handle 12. A lower framemember 12b, suitably apertured as at 15 to receive fasteners for fixedattachment to the central frame 14, provides the left-hand half of thehandle grip 12. The full length of the machine 11 is enclosed on theright-hand side-by a gear case cover 16 adapted to be fixedly secured tothe central frame 11 is enclosed by a fixedly mounted front frame member17 and a removably mounted side cover 18 disposed rearwardly thereof. Atop cover 19 is adapted for pivotal mounting to the central frame member14 and front frame member 17 .to swing upwardly as shown by the brokenlines in FIG. 1. Preferably, the frame members 12b, 14-18, may be madefrom die-castable metal materials and the top cover 19 may be formedfrom one of the moldable thermosetting phenolic resins, or the likematerials, well known in the art.

Complementary fin-shaped brackets 21a and 21b extend upwardlyrespectively from the central frame member 14 and side cover 18 and eachbracket is provided with a half-hub 22 which furnishes a mounting for aspool of tape 23. The half-hubs 22a and 2212 are maintained in alignmentby a plurality of axially extending tines 24, shown best in FIG. 17, thetines 24 also serving to maintain the side cover 18 in the desiredrelationship with respect to the central frame 14.

In addition to the foregoing functions, the frame members 12b, 14-19,furnish additional functions and provide other features all of whichwill be set forth more particularly as this specification unfolds below.

' Previously referred to was that the tape supply 23 for the machine 11was arranged in spool form as shown in FIG. 1. Considering here the tapeper se, reference should be had to FIG. 3 where there is shown anunwound strip of tape 23a including a backing web 26 having a pluralityof labels 27 removably retained thereon at evenly spaced intervalsintermediate of the longitudinal margins 26a and 26b of the backing web26.

Preferably, the labels 27 are rectilinear in form although they may havecurved corner portions. The labels 27 are arranged on the backing web 26in predetermined positions, being indexed with respect to the web 26 andwith respect to each other by means of perforations 28 in the margins26a and 26b of the backing web 26. More particularly, the perforations28 may be arranged in 14. On the left-hand side, the machine groups ofthree with the central perforation in each group disposed in alignmentwith the space between adjacent labels 27. The perforations or openings28 are preferably circular for reasons having to do with othercapabilities and features which will become apparent as thisspecification unfolds. p The surface of the backing web 26 is generallywaxlike in character and to achieve this characteristic the strip 26 maybe formed from glassine paper or the like substance well known in theart. Being that the labels 27 are mounted to the backing web 26 by apressure sensitive adhesive, the wax-like surface permits detachment ofthe labels 27 when the strip of tape 23a is moved across a structurefurnishing an abrupt change of direction, such as a corner, or a roller,or the like.

More particularly, referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 9, it will be seenthat the tape 23a upon being unwound from the spool 23 is fed throughthe machine 11, first 'through an upper path or run towards a dispensingstation 29 at the forward end or nose of the machine 11. Here, thelabels 27 are so disposed that they may be readily applied to an articleof merchandise and the like without the necessity of handling the labels27 with the fingers. A lower path or run is established for the thenl'abelless tape between the dispensing station 29 and the rear end ofthe machine 11 through which the tape 23a is led, as appears mostclearly from FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 9, the dispensing station 29 includes a tape-workingplatform 31 which extends transversely from the front frame member 17,as shown in FIG. -6. The platform 31 is conformed to receive the portionof the tape 23a urged thereagainst by a deforming roller 32 rotatablymounted upon a laterally extending support element 33 projecting fromthe central frame 14. The deforming roller 32 is tapered from its centertowards each While the center portion of the tape 23a is being deformedlaterally by the deforming roller 32, the marginal portions of the tape,including the marginal portions of the label 27, are held against theedges of the working platform 31 by the overlying portions of thesupport member '33 which straddle the deforming roller 32.

As the strip of tape 23a is moved forward following its deformationbetween the roller 32 and platform 31, the label 27 is caused toseparate from the backing strip 26 as the tape 23a is caused to passacross a rounded corner or nose portion 31a of the working platform 31.The backing web 26 is led downwardly from the nose 31a over a roller 34journaled in the central frame 14 and front frame 17.

Disposed about one-half. of a label length from the nose or'roundedcorner 31a is a label support 36 which is journaled in the machine 11 ina manner similar to that for the roller 34. So as to provide as smallamount of contact as possible betweeen the label 27 and support 36, aV-shaped rim 36a may be disposed along the axis of sup.- port 36 in oneor more positions, preferably three, so that there is essentially pointcontact between the rims 36a and the sticky under-surface of the labels27. It will be understood that the support. 36 is so positioned withrespect to the working platform 31 that when a label 27 is in positionfor application to an article of merchandise, the support 36 engagessubstantially the center of the label while the inner-lateral edgeportion of the label rests against and is in adhesive engagement withthat portion of the backing 26 which rests upon the forward area of theworking platform 31. The forward portion of the label 27, while in thisposition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, extends beneath a pressureapplicator or soft roller 37 mounted to the frame and machine 11 in amanner similar to that of the elements 34 and 36. The outer periphery ofthe pressure applicator 37 maybe covered with a resilient material suchas sponge rubber or the like, whereby the labels 27 may be rolled by theapplicator 37 against the article to which it is applied to ensure fullcontact of the pressure-sensitive sticky surface of the label with thearticle to'be marked. V

It will be understood that the tape 23a is fed from the spool 23 towardsthe dispensing station 29 and the backing strip is thence returned tothe rear of the gun in a step-by-step movement imparted to the tape 2311by a tape feed mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 9. The tape feed mechanismincludes a sporcket wheel 38 having sprocket teeth 38a which projectradially from the side rims of the wheel, 'shown best 'in FIG. 19. Thesprocket teeth 38:: are arranged in groups of three and are sodimensioned and positioned upon the sprocket wheel for registration withthe perforations or openings 28 in the backing strip 26. From the spool23, the tape 23a is led beneath a top guide flap 39 which includes aforwardly extending curved portion 39a serving to maintain the tape 23aupon the sprocket teeth 38a, as shown in FIG. 9. From the sprocket wheel38 to the dispensing station 29 the tape 23a on the top run extends insubstantially a straight line and, upon changing direction at the corneror nose 31a and roller 34, is led in the bottom run across a tapetensioner 41 which, biased by the coil spring 42,. urges the backing web26 downwardly.

A lower roller 43, 'rotatably supported by the frame member 12b andcentral frame 14, intermediate the tensioner 41 and sprocket wheel 38,supports the backing web 26 vertically and guides it toward the lowerperiphery of the sprocket wheel 38. A bottom guide flap 44 (see FIG. a)presents a curved portion 44a extending rearwardly and upwardly to urgethe lower run of the label-less backing web 26 towards the sprocketwheel 38 so as to maintain engagement between the perforation containingmarginal portions 26a and 26b of the web 26 and the sprocket teeth 38a.Thus, it will be understood that the sprocket wheel 38, rotatablenormally counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 9, both pushes the tapeforwardly toward the dispensing station 29 and retracts it rearwardly byreason of the fact that the top and bottom runs of the tape are inengagement with the toothed sprocket wheel.

Considering particularly FIG. 19, it will be seen that the sprocket 38is formed in half-sections which, as fixedly secured together by dowelpins, are mounted in a housing 46 for rotational movements with respectthereto. In the assembled condition of machine 11, the housing 46 isrestrained against rotational movement with respect to the central framemember 14 by the pin 47 which projects into an opening 47a (shown inFIG. 5) of the central frame 14.

The sprocket wheel 38 is caused to rotate counterclockwise as viewed inFIG. 9 by a trigger actuated, doublepawl mechanism which, upon each fullstroke of the trigger 13, causes the sprocket wheel 38 to rotateone-quarter of a revolution, i.e., 90 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 12, it will be seen that there is journaled in thecentral frame member 14 a laterally eX- tending sprocket shaft 48 uponwhich the sprocket wheel 38 is mounted at the wall thereof adjacent thecentral frame member. The shaft 48 extends freely through the oppositeside wall of the sprocket wheel 38 to receive fixedly over its tip afinger-knob 49 which projects outwardly of the side cover 18. The innerend of the knob 49 is pinned into the outer side wall of the sprocketwheel 38 adjacent the side cover 18, as shown in FIG. 12.

The end of the sprocket shaft 48 disposed innermost of the machine 11 isequipped with a transversely extending drive pin 51 which is embedded inthe hub of a first drive gear 52. Fixedly secured to the first drivegear 52 is a pull-ratchet 53 having four ratchet teeth equally spacedabout its periphery, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the inter-connection between the firstdrive gear 52 and the pull-ratchet wheel 53 is a releasable clutcharrangement eifected by four balls 55 each of which projects into aV-shaped recess 55a arranged at quarter-points in the inner periphery ofthe pull-ratchet wheel 53. An axially inwardly extending hub 520,secured as by riveting to the first drive gear 52, is received withinthe central opening of the pull-ratchet wheel 53, the hub 52a at itsquarter-points being radially slotted to receive each of the balls 55,as shown in FIG. 14. A flat, coil spring keeper maintains the four ballsin normal operative driving relationship as shown in FIG. 14. Thus, uponrotation of the sprocket shaft 48 the first drive gear 52 and hub 52aimpart a driving force through the balls 55 to the pull-ratchet wheel53. Should an excessive resistance to rotation of the drive gear 52develop, due to jamming of the tape in the machine, or the like cause,the balls 55 are urged radially inwardly by the ratchet wheel 53 againstthe bias of the spring 69, and the pullratchet wheel 53 will thenover-ride the balls 55 and rotate 90 degrees independently of the firstdrive gear 52 and sprocket 38. This provides a safety link in the drivetrain, described more fully below, which lessens the tendency for damageto the mechanism while retaining the pre-set angular relationshipbetween the drive gear 52, pull-ratchet wheel 53 and sprocket 38.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 15 wherein the view is taken lookingtoward the inside of the gear case cover 16, it will be seen thatinter-meshed with the first drive gear 52 is a second drive gear 54which is suitably journaled in the central frame member 14, upon a stubshaft 56. A push-ratchet wheel 57 is fixedly secured upon the 5 stubshaft 56 in the same longitudinal plane in which the pull-ratchet 53 ismounted. Unlike the pull-ratchet 53, the push-ratchet wheel 57 isprovided about its periphery with eight ratchet teeth, as shown in FIG.15.

Cooperating with the ratchet wheels 53 and 57 to rotate the drive gears52 and 54 is a bifurcated or double-pawl element 58, shown in FIGS. 7,15 and 16. The doublepawl 58 includes a pull arm 59 maintained in aspaced apart relation from a push arm 61 by a V-shaped leaf spring 62.The free ends of the respective arms 59 and 61 are each equipped withend structures adapted to cooperate respectively with the pull-ratchetwheel 53 and the push-ratchet wheel 57, as clearly shown in FIG. 15.Rearwardly of the arms 59 and 61, the pawl element is equipped within agenerally rectangular cross-sectioned slide 63, shown clearly in FIG. 7,which is adapted to be received Within a slide chamber 64 disposedwithin the handle 12, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18. Rearward movement ofthe double-pawl element 58 is limited by the bottom wall 64a of thechamber 64, while the limit of forward movement is established by alaterally extending pin 66 which engages an abutment portion (not shown)at the forward end of the slide chamber 64. Forward motion of thedouble-pawl element 58 is also limited by a laterally projecting lug 65extending from the central frame member 14 and disposed so as to beengaged by the free end of the push arm 61 when in its forwardmostposition, as shown in FIG. 15.

The double-pawl element 58 is urged forwardly by a tension spring 67fastened to a hook 61a on the push arm 61, the spring being secured atits forward end to an anchor pin 68, shown best in FIG. 9. Thus, thedoublepawl element 58 is biased towards the forward portion of themachine 11 by the tension spring 67.

To maintain the push arm 61 operatively in engagement with thepush-ratchet wheel 57, the lower surface of the arm 61 is equipped witha lineal bearing portion 61b adapted to bear and slide against andthereby to be supported by a ramp-like portion 69 formed in the centralframe member 14, as clearly appears in FIG. 15. Thus, it will appearthat the lower arm 61 is supported vertically by the ramp member 69while the upper arm 59 is maintained spaced from the arm 61 by means ofleaf spring 62.

To enable rotational forces to be applied to the drive gears 52 and 54through the double-pawl and ratchet mechanism, the trigger 13 is linkedto the double-pawl element 58 in a manner to permit reciprocation of theslide element 63 against the bias of thetension spring 67. Referringparticularly to FIGS. 79, 16 and 17, it will be seen that the trigger 13is provided with a laterally extending pivot pin 13:: (shown best inFIGS. 8 and 17) adapted to be journaled within an aperture 71 of thehandle section 12a. A connection between the pawl element 58 and thetrigger 13 is afforded by a Wrist pin 72 extending laterally from theleft side of the double-pawl element 58 and is adapted to be received inan oval-shaped opening 73 (see FIG. 8) in the trigger 13-, as shown inFIG. 17. The forward throw of the trigger 13 is limited by a shoulder 74(shown in FIG. 8) which is adapted to engage an abutment 76, shown inFIG. 9. Thus, upon retraction of the trigger 13, the double-pawl element58 is urged rearwardly against the bias of the spring 67 to pull,through the arm 59, the pull-ratchet wheel 53 causing the meshing drivegears 52 and 54 to rotate in the direct-ion of the arrows shown in FIG.15 through one-eighth of a revolution, i.e. 45 degrees. Upon relaxationof the hand-pressure upon the trigger 13, the double-pawl 58 and trigger13 are urged forwardly by the tension spring 67 so that the push arm 61urges the push-ratchet wheel 57 to rotate the drive gears 52 and 54through a second one-eighth of a revolution. Thus, with each fullstroke, retraction and subsequent release of the trigger, the sprocketwheel 38 is caused to revolve one-quarter of a revolution, i.e. degrees,and thereby to advance the tape 23a a distance equal to a spacing of onelabel.

ing station 77. Referring now to FIGS.

In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, with each full stroke ofthe trigger 13, three printing operations are performed as the tape 23ais urged forwardly, each printing operation occuring at a differentprinting station in the machine 11. However, it is within the purview ofthe present invention to have a greater or lesser number of printingstations and concomitant printing functions performed within a machineconstructed in accordance with the principles of this'inventi'on. InFIG. 4 there is shown schematically a first 77, a second 78 and a third79' printing stations numbered in the direction of tape advancementthrough the machine 11. At the first printing station 77 a first indicia81 is printed at a preselected portion of the label 27, this indiciabeing illustrated in 'FIG. 3 as the Word discount printed at the upperportion of the label as it passes through the printing station 77. Asecond indicia is printed at the second printing station 78 at apreselected portion of the label 27, this being at the lower portion ofthe label, the indicia being the code letters slres. A third indicia 83is printed as the label 27 is moved through the third printing station79 at a preselected portion thereon, this being in the center portion ofthe label 27, the indicia being the amount 127.50/ea which is a pricecorresponding to the mark-up from the wholesale price represented in theforegoing code letters of indicia 82, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, with thelabel printer and applicator 11 there maybe printed laterally across alabel 27 three lines of printed matter giving pricing or advertisinginformation and the like. In the case of the indicia printed at thesecond 78- and third 79 printing stations, each line of indicia isselectably variable as will be explained more fully hereinafter. Theindicia printed at the first printing station 77, on the other hand, isnon-variable in that an alternate printing mechanism must be substitutedin the machine 11 to change the content of the indicia 81.

Considering now the printing mechanism disposed at the first printingstation 77, reference should be had to FIGS. 9 and 12 where there isshown a first rotatable 84. The printing head 84 is arranged transpathof travel of the tape 23a, the printing printing head versely to thehead 84 being mounted upon a shaft 86 which is journaled at one end inthe side cover 18 and at the opposite end in the gear case cover 16, asappears in FIG. 12. Upon the left end of the shaft 86 (as viewed in FIG.12) there is maintained a hub 87 having a spur gear 88 formed integrallyat the end thereof, the'hub extending through an opening 87a in thecentral frame member 14 and interlocks with the first printing head 84.A spacer-collar 89 is pressed over the end of the hub 87 adjacent to theinner-connection between the hub 87 and the head 84. Referring to FIG.15, it will be seen that the spur gear 88 on the shaft 86 is arranged tobe driven by the first drive gear 52. The pitch diameters of the gears52 and 88 are selected so that a quarter of a revolution of the gear 52produces one-half a revolution of the gear 88 which, in turn, revolvesthe first printing head 84 onehalf a revolution, i.e., 180 degrees, perstroke of the trigger 13.

An axially extending line of type 91 is arranged at two diametricallyopposite points on the printing head 84, the type being received in anaxial groove in the printing head. Thus, the lines of type 91 printalternately upon consecutive labels as the tape 23a is advancedincrementally through the machine 11.

So as to ensure legible printing of the type 91 upon the labels 27, amovable platen means 92 is arranged beneath the tape 23a in the printingarea at the first print- 9 and 19, it will be seen that the sprockethousing 46 upon the upper surface thereof is provided with a mound orraised portion 93. Further, a slot 94, extending the full width of thehousing 46, is arranged inthe Wall. thereof so as to provide acantilever or leafspring effect to the upper portion of the housingwhereby this to provide a clearance space between the underside of theplaten portion 92 and the adjacent portions of the sprocket 'wheel 38,as shown in FIG. 9.

So as to supply ink to the two lines of type 91 on the first printinghead'84, a first ink roller '96 is secured to a shaft 95 which isrotatably mounted in the frame of the machine 11, one end of the shaft95 being disposed at the bottom of an L-shaped slot 97 in the centralframe 14 (shown in FIG. 5), the opposite end of the shaft 95 beingdisposed at the bottom of a similarly shaped slot 98 in the front framemember 17 shown in FIG. 6). The first ink roller 96 includes a body 96acomposed of a sponge-like material which retains for a substantialperiod of use a supply of ink whereby the roller may be used with themachine 11 for a substantial period before becoming depleted of itsretained ink supply. The first ink roller 96 is maintained positioned inthe L-shaped "slots 97 and 98 and is biased towards the first print head84 by hair-pin springs 99 mounted on and depending from the top cover19, as shown in FIG. 9. As each line of type 91 is caused to revolveclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 9, the ink roller 96 is engaged by the type91 and is urged forwardly against the bias of the springs 99, thusensuring ink receiving contact between the type 91 and body portion 96aof the ink roller 96 A second rotatableprinting head 102 is arranged atthe second printing station 78 and a third rotatable printing head 103is arranged at the third printing station 79. Being that the printingstructures arranged respectively at the second 78 and the third 79printing stations are similar in design and capability only thosestructures at the third printing station 79 will be described in detail.Similar parts located at the second printing station 78 will be markedwith primed numbers.

The structures located at the third printing station 79 include thethird printing head 103 and an associated rotatable platen 104, as shownin FIGS. 9, 21 and 22.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 21, itwill be seen that the rotatableprinting head 103 is mounted for rotation in the frame of the machine 11in a manner whereby the outer end of the printing head 103 is rotatablysupported with respect to the front frame member 17 by a .collar 106mountedin a complementary opening 106a (shown best in FIG. 5) in themember '17, The innermost end of the printing head 103 is carried withrespect to the central frame member 14 by the hub 107a of a gear 107. Anend flange 108 of the head 10% is provided with an axially disposed pin109 and a locating being rotatably supported with -respect to thecentral frame member 14 by a platen collar 113 rotatably mounted withina bushing 114 which, in turn, is pressed into an opening 114a (shownbest in FIG. 5) in thecentral frame member 14. Extending through theplaten col lar 113, the shaft 112 is equipped at one end with a platengear-cluster 116. Axially from a boss 116a of the cluster 116 projects alocating dowel pin 116b which is adapted to be received in acomplementary recess 113a in the periphery of the platen collar 113, 'asshown in FIGS. 21 and 24. Thus, the locating dowel 116b coportion isdeflected operates with the collar 113 pressed upon the shaft 112 in amanner to locate, for purposes to be explained hereinafter, the platenwith respect to the gear cluster 116.

Referring particularly to FIG. 24, it will be seen that the rotatableplaten 104 includes a body 104a which protrudes asymmetrically from theaxle 112. The body 104a is formed from a resiliently compressiblematerial so as to present a resilient surface to the printing head oneach rotation of the shaft 112. It will be observed that the protrudingportion of the body 104a extends from the shaft 112 diametricallyopposite from the keyed interlock between the platen collar 113 anddowel 1161).

Considering now particularly the inter-action between the gear 107 fordriving the printing head 103 and the gear cluster 116 for driving therotatable platen 104, it will be understood that the printing head 103and the platen 104, respectively, are each keyed to the associated gears107 and 116 in a predetermined relationship in a manner which willafford rotatable printing of a single line of axially extending indiciawith each full revolution of the printing head and platen. It will beobserved that to effect clear and unblurred printing upon a label 27, itis desirable in rotary printing for the printing head and moving web, atthe moment of printing, to move at substantially the same speed. Thatis, there should be no differential in speed between the line of type tobe printed and the medium which is to receive the printed indicia.Previously mentioned was that for each full stroke, back and forth, ofthe trigger 13 the sprocket wheel 38 urges the tape 23a forwardly thedistance equal to the label spacing, and during this movement, therotatable printing head 103 is caused to revolve, as is the platen 104,one full revolution, i.e., 360 degrees, to print one line of indiciaupon the label 27. It will be observed from the drawings, for exampleFIG. 9, that the length of the circumferential periphery of therotatable head 103 exceeds by a considerable extent the length of alabel 27. Thus, it is preferable to accelerate the rotation of the head103 through a substantial portion of each revolution and then todecelerate the printing head 103 so that at the moment of printing theselected line of type is moving substantially at the same speed as label27 as it is advanced through the third printing station 79. To this endthe gear 107 and the gear 117 are each provided with complementary,oval-shaped pitch circles as clearly appears from FIGS. 15 and 23.

More particularly, the platen gear cluster 116, in addition to the ovalgear 117, includes aicircular spur gear 118 co-axially arranged withrespect to the platen shaft 112. Over a circular segment which embracestwo of the thirteen teeth of the gear 118, as may be seen from FIG. 23,the oval gear 117 and the circular gear 118 have a coincident pitchcircle. Thus, for the moment of time in which these two teeth in thegear cluster 116 engage the oval gear 107, the gear 107 will rotate atthe same speed as the gears 117 and 118. This follows from the fact thatinter-meshing gears on the same pitch circle move at the same speed. Itwill be seen from FIG. 24 in connection with FIG. 23, that theprotruding portion of the platen body 104a projects in alignment withthe two teeth 118a, which are arranged on the coincident pitch circlesof the gears 117 and 118. Thus, when the teeth 118a are revolvedone-half a revolution from the position shown in FIG. 23 the protrudingportion of the platen body 104a will be disposed, as shown in FIG. 9, ina position for printing to urge the web 23a upwardly from its path oftravel into engagement with the printing head 103, and the line ofindicia presented at that moment to the label 27.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 23, the pitch diameter of the circularspur gear 118 is sized in relation to the pitch diameter of the drivegears 52 and 54 so that onequarter revolution (90 degrees) of the drivegears 52 and 54 cause the gear 118 to turn one full revolution (360degrees). More particularly, being that the printing mechanism at thesecond printing station 78 includes a gear arrangement identical to thatat the third printing station 79, the second drive gear 54 is meshedwith a circular gear 118 which, in turn, is disposed in meshingrelationship with an idler gear 119 which is also in meshing relationwith the gear 118 on the shaft 112. The idler gear 119 is suitablyjournaled on its shaft 121, as shown in FIG. 11, in the gear case cover16 and central frame member 14.

To recapitulate and with reference to FIGS. 9, 15 and 23, as the trigger13 is squeezed and released the doublepawl 58 first pulls and thenpushes upon the ratchet wheels 53 and 57 to rotate the first 52 andsecond 54 drive gears through one-quarter of a revolution, i.e., 90degrees. This causes the sprocket wheel 38 to advance the web of tape23a one label space forward. Substantially simultaneously, the spur gear83 which drives the first printing head 84 is rotated one-halfrevolution to print at the first printing station 77 an axiallyextending line of indicia on the label overlying the platen means 92.Substantially simultaneously, the second drive gear 54 drives a circularspur gear 118 through one full revolution. Being that the circular gear118 is rigid with the oval gear 117 a full revolution of the gear 118also defines a full revolution of the oval gears 117' and itsinter-meshed mate 107. This results in urging at the second printingstation 7 3 the movable platen 104' against the web of tape 23a to pushthe label disposed at the second printing station 78 into printingengagement with the second printing head 102. Simultaneously as withinthe period of the trigger stroke, the circular gear 118' driving throughthe idler gear 119 serves to rotate one full revolution, the circulargear 113' which, in turn, drives the mating pair of oval gears 107 and117 through a full revolution. The aforementioned gears, 52, 54, 88,107, 118', 107, 117, 118 and 119 each rotate in the direction of thearrows, shown in FIG. 15, disposed adjacent the respective gears.

Upon rotation of the platen 104 and third printing head 103, the label27 disposed at the third printing station 79 is urged upwardly from itspath of travel into engagement with the third printing head 103 therebyto print an axially extending line of indicia thereupon. Thus, in onefull stroke of the trig er 13, the labels 27 at the respective printingstations each have printed thereon an axially extending line of indicia.

Unlike the first printing head 84, the second 102 and third 103 printingheads include the capability for varying the content of the axiallyextending line of indicia to be printed upon a label 27. This feature isespecially desirable to accommodate the differences in prices for thedifierent articles which are to be marked with the label printer andapplicator 11. Further, the content of the lines of indicia printed bythe second 102 and third 103 printing heads may be varied withoutremoving the printing heads from the machine 11.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 21, 21a and 2112, it will be seenthat the printing head 103 includes a generally cylindrical central coreor body portion 122 having fixedly secured thereto, as by fasteners1.23, an inner collar 124 and an end cap 126. A freely rotatablerelationship is maintained between the inner collar 124 and the outercollar 105 by virtue of the anti-friction bearing 127, shown best inFIG. 21. It will be understood from the foregoing that the end cap 126,inner collar 124, the printing head body 122 with its integrally relatedend flange 108, revolve as a unit with the gear hub 107a.

Intermediate the inner collar 124 and the end flange 108 there ismounted on the body or core 122 a plurality of type bands 128, sevenbeing shown in this embodiment, each band 128 comprising a printingmember 128:: mounted upon a carrying ring 1281). Upon each printingmember 128a there is disposed an outwardly projecting, circumferentiallyextending array of printable characters, as shown in PEG. 2112. In thepresent embodiment there is provided on the member 128a spaces for 13characters although only 12 of the spaces are so occupied, one spacebeing left blank so that the type band 128 may be arranged on the core122 in a non-printing position, should it be desired. The printingmembers 128a are composed of 'a rubber-like material so as to beresiliently compressible when urged into engagement with the label 27backed by the platen body 104a. However, the compressibility of thematerial is not such so as to cause distortion in the printed letters ornumerals.

The printing member 128a is keyed by axially extending tongue and groovemembers 129 to the carrying rings 128b, best shown in FIG. 22. So as toprovide axial spacing between the printing members 128a and thereby toprovide a measure of separation between axially adjacent characters, thecarrying ring 128b is equipped with a radially extending side flange128a, shown in FIGS. 21 and 21b, the flange 128c terminating radiallyinwardly of the printing face of the member 128a.

So as to maintain each type band 128 in a predetermined relationship forprinting the selected'character, a detent 131 is interposed between eachcarrying ring 128band the body 122 of the printing head 103, as shown inFIGS.

21 and 22. More particularly, the inner periphery of the carrying ring12812 is provided with a plurality of recesses 131a equal in number tothe number of spaces available for printing characters on the printingmembers 128a, in this disclosure 13. A detent ball 13b projecting from acomplementary aperture in "the body 122 is biased radially outwardly bya resilient member 1316 to project partially into the recess 131a.Preferably, the resilient member 1310 is formed of a generallycylindrical rod of elastomeric material which may be compressed into agenerally complementary bore 131d in the body 122. Being that theresilient biasing member 1310 extends axially of the body 122 throughoutsubstantially its entire length, it is adapted to urge each of thedetent balls 131b into engagement with its associated carrying ring12812, as clearly shown in FIG. 21. Thus, each of the type bands 128 maybe held in a selected relationship with respect to the body 122 of theprinting head 103.

So that each type band 128 may be rotated into any one of the possibleselected positions on the core 122, a selector 132 is provided on theprinting head 103. Referring to FIGS. 21, 21b and 22, it will be seenthat the selector 132 includes a shaft 132a which extends from a knob1321) at its outer end through a bore 132a in the end cap 126 and fromthere extends substantially the entire length of the printing head 103.The innermost end of the shaft 132a has mounted thereon a selectorstar-wheel 133 adapted to be received within a chamber 108a in the endflange 108, shown best in FIG. 21. An axially extending, crescent-shapedrecess 122a is formed in the periphery of the printing head body 122 ofa radial depth to permit the teeth 133a of the star-wheel 133 toprotrude radially outwardly therefrom for engagement with the recessedinner periphery of the carrying ring 128b, as shown in FIG. 22. It willbe observed that the curved surface of the crescent-shaped recess 122aacts as a bearing support for four of the six teeth of the star-wheel133.

Upon rotation of the selector shaft 132a the star-wheel 133 may bebrought into engagement with any one of the type bands 128 in a mannerwherein the star-wheel teeth 133a are received in the detent'recesses131a to rotate the type ring 128a with respect to the body or core 122against the bias of the detent 131. 7 7 Being that the selector 132 isrotated by the fingers engaging the knob 132b to move the type bands 128to a new position, feel for the location of the selector shaft 132a isprovided by the selector detent 134, shown bestin FIGS. 21 and 21b. Moreparticularly, the selector shaft 132a inwardly of the knob 132b iscircumferentially relieved as at 136, at a plurality of locations equalin number and axial spacings to that of the type bands 128, one extrarecess 136 being provided for maintaining the shaft 132a in itsnon-selecting position wherein the staringly,

wheel 133 is received within the end'flange chamber 108a, as shown inFIG. 21. A diametrically extending pocket 13412 is formed into the outerface of the collar 124, there being arranged in the pocket 2134b adetent ball 134a supported with respect to the collar 134 by a coilspring 134d which serves to urge the ball towards the adjacent circumferential recess 136 of the shaft 132a. The ball 134c and spring 134dare enclosed in the pocket and maintained in operative relationship bythe cap 126 which is secured to the inner collar 124, as shown in FIG.21. Thus, as the selector shaft 132a is retracted axially by thefingers, feel is imparted to the shaft movement by the successiveengagement of the ball 134c within one of the recesses 136. In this way,the location of the starwheel 133 may be determined with respect to thetype rings 128.

So as to be able to observe visually the selected, axially extendingline of type on the printing head 103, an index position is establishedby a pair of axially spaced and aligned indicator lines 137, one beinglocated Within'a recess 138 on the periphery of the inner collar 124,the other being located in a similar recess 138 on the periphery of theend flange 108, as shown in FIG. 21b. Preferably, each line 137 ismarked in white so as to be readily visible to the operator of themachine 11. Thus, between the lines 137 an axially extending line oftype may be set by rotating each of the type bands 128 with the selector132 to bring a selected character into alignment with the lines 137.

To facilitate the type resetting operation on the printing head 102, arectangular opening or window 139 is arranged in the top cover 19 sothat the'second printing head 102 may be viewed therethrough, as shownin FIGS. 2, 9 and 21. The printing head 102 is so arranged with respectto the associated oval gear 107' so that following a stroke of themotion transmitting mechanism, the printing head 102 comes to rest withthe index markers 137"in a position for easy viewing through the window139. A mirror 141 is disposed for viewing below'the window 139 betweenthe central frame 14 and the front frame member 17 so that a line ofindicia at the index position may be read in the mirror directly innormal reading order, it being understood that the letters or characterson the type bands 128 are disposed in reversed arrangement.

Similarly, there is, at the forward edge of the cover 19, a secondwindow 142 having a second mirror 143 mounted on thetop surface of thesupport member 33, as shown in FIG. 9. The third printing respect to theoval gear 107 stroke the index markings on the head 103 are and uponcompletion of a readily visible when viewed in the mirror 143. Thisfacilitates resetting the line of indicia on the third printing head103. In the printing operation of the machine 11 the second 102 andthird 103 printing heads. rotate in the direction of tape advancement,i.e., clockwise as viewed in FIG. '9. During resetting of the type bands128 with the selector 132 some torque is applied to the printing head,102 or 103, tending to cause rotation. To maintain the printing head,102 or 103, against rotation during resetting of the type bands 128 agear train arrestor 144 or lock-up is provided, such being mounted uponthe inner wall of the gear case 16, shown best the arrestor 144 includesa mounting 144a having secured therein and extending therefrom anelongated,.resilient configuration of the abutment 147 when the ovalgear' 107' is revolved counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 15, '1 thestop element 146 will engage the abutment 147 arresting further rotationof the oval gear 107' and, accord-' all of the gearswithin'theinner-connected gear train including the oval gear 107"associated with the printing head 103. Thus, for purposes of resetting aline of type, the selector 132 is rotated, preferably, counterhead 103is so arranged with in FIG. 15. More particularly,

clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, thus bringing the abutment member 147into engagement with the stop element 146, as shown in FIG. 15. Thisarrests the printing heads 102 and 103 from rotation while a new line oftype is selected. During printing operation in the machine 11, theresilient stop element 146 rides in a non-interfering relationship aboutthe periphery of the abutment 147 which rotates clockwise, as viewed inFIG. 15.

To ensure against printing of other than the selected axially extendingline of type upon the label 27, the ink supply for the printing heads102 and 103 is arranged so that only the line of type intermediate thetwo index lines 137 in the recesses 138 receives ink. Referring to FIGS.9, 11 and 22, it will be recalled that at the first printing station 77there is located a first ink roller 96. Similarly, there is located atthe second printing station 78 a second ink roller 152 and at the thirdprinting station 79 a third ink roller 153, each of the ink rollers 96,152 and 153 being of similar construction and arrangement althoughdifferent colored inks may be carried by the bodies of the respectiveink rollers. In the case of the second 152 and third 153 ink rollerstheir mounting and cooperation with the respective printing heads, 102and 103, is identical, thus but little distinction will be made in thisdescription as to whether the ink supply for the second 78 or that forthe third 79 printing station is being referred to.

From FIG. 11, it will be seen that the ink roller (the second ink roller152 being thereshown) is mounted laterally of the machine 11 upon ashaft 154, the respective ends of which are carried in L-shaped slots156 and 157 arranged respectively in the central frame member 14 and thefront frame member 17 (see also FIGS. and 6). A spool 158 is mountedupon the shaft 154 to rotate therewith, with the spool carrying asponge-like body 152a adapted to retain for a substantial period asupply of ink. The rims 158a and of the spool 158 are axially spacedapart a distance equaled to that between the respective confrontingflanges 108 and 124 of the adjacent printing head 102 or 103. The inkroller 152 is so mounted within the L-shaped slots 156 and 157 so thatduring rotation of the printing head 102 the rims 158a and 15812 of theink roller ride in rolling engagement upon the flange 108 and the innercollar 124 of the printing head. When the rims 158a and 158i) encounterand ride into the recesses 138 in the members 108, 124, the body portion152a is permitted to engage momentarily the line of type between theindex markings 137 thereby to ink the selected line of indicia.Thereafter the rims 158a and 15817 ride out of the recesses and removethe ink carrying body 152a from engagement with the type rings 128, thebody 152a continuing to ride above the other lines of indicia on theprinting head 102 in a non-inking relation therewith. This relationshipis best shown in FIG. 22 in connection with the third ink roller 103 atthe third printing station 79, similar portions of the ink roller at thethird station being marked with primes.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the second ink roller 152 is biased towards thesecond printing roll 102 by a pair of hair-pin springs 159 (only onebeing shown) mounted to top cover 19. The third ink roller 153 is biasedtowards the third printing head 103 by a like pair of hair-pin springs161 mounted upon the cover 19, shown in FIG. 22. Thus, when the topcover 19 is in the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, each ofthe three ink rollers disposed in its respective slots is biased by apair of hairpin springs towards its respectively associated printinghead.

Considering now FIGS. 5, 9, 10, 13a and 13b, it will be seen that thetop cover 19 includes a first spring mount 162 and a second spring mount163 each fixedly secured to the underside of the cover 19. As shown inFIG. 13a, the spring mount 162 includes laterally extending retainerpins 162a and 16% upon which the hair-pin springs 161 are adapted to bereceived. Referring to FIG. 1312, it will be seen that the second springmount 163 includes retainer pins 163a, b, c, and d, pins 163a and 163];being adapted to receive thereon the hair-pin springs 159 while theretainer pins 163c and 163d are adapted to receive the hair-pin springs99.

It will be seen from FIGS. 5 and 10 that at the rear portion of the topcover 19 there extends laterally outwardly hinge-pins 164 which aredesigned to be fitted into the bores 165 located respectively in thecentral frame member 14 and the front frame member 17, shown best inFIG. 5. Thus, the top cover 19 may be pivoted from the close position asshown in FIG. 1 to the open position as shown in broken lines therein.

The forward portion of the top cover 19 is equipped with a side flange166, shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, which is so positioned as to extenddownwardly so as to act as a keeper between the inner collar 124 of theprinting head 163 and the front frame member 17 thereby preventingretraction of the third printing head 103 when the cover 19 is in theclosed position, best shown in FIG. 21. A similar keeper flange 167 isprovided on the top cover 19 adjacent to the hair-pin springs 161, asshown in FIG. 5. The keeper flange 167 provides a similar function as tothe second printing head 102, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 11. Thus,the top cover 19 in the closed position maintains the three ink rollersin operative relation to the respective printing heads and also retainsthe second 102 and third 103 printing heads from axially retraction fromthe label printer and applicator 11. The top cover 19 is retained in theclosed position by a pair of laterally extending snap flanges 168adapted to engage a cross-bar 169, as shown in FIGS. 9, 21 and 22.

For a label printer and applicator of the character of machine 11 togain acceptance in the market place, it is highly desirable that themachine, as Well as being easy to operate, have the capability of beingrelatively easy to load with a new supply of tape 23 after the previoussupply has become exhausted. To facilitate the loading of a new spool oftape 23 into the machine 11, the side cover 18 is removable to exposethe spool mounting hub 22 and the drive sprocket wheel 38. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 17, it will be seen that the side cover 18 is retained inposition against the central frame member 14 by a spring biased keeperassembly 171 which includes a laterally extending shaft 171a equipped atits exposed end with a finger knob 17112. The opposite end of the shaft171a is provided with a cross-pin 172 which is biased by a compressionspring 173 into a cross-slot formed in a socket 174 which receives theadjacent end of the shaft 171a. As shown in FIG. 17, the top guide flap39 is mounted about the shaft 171a and is maintained in operativeassociation therewith by a second compression spring 176 which abuts atits inner end with the ends of a plurality of radially extending flanges39b, and at its outer end with a cylindrical hub 1710. The co-action ofthe spring 176 with the hub 1710 and flanges 3% serves to urge the topguide flap 39 against the adjacent wall of the central frame member 14.An outer cross-pin 176 extends diametrically through the hub 1710, thepin 176 being received in a cross-slot 177 in the cover 18 extendinggenerally parallel to the path of the tape feed (see also FIG. 5). Thus,through engagement of the pin 176 in the slot 177, the side cover 18 isurged by the compression spring 173 into fitting engagement with thecentral frame member 14.

To dismount the side cover 18 from the central frame member 14, theshaft 171a is rotated one-quarter turn, re, degrees, so as to bring theouter cross-pin 176 into registration with a vertically oriented throughslot 178, best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. When the pin 176 is in thisposition, the cover 18 can be removed from the central frame 14 thusexposing the sprocket wheel 38 and the half-hub 22 upon which the spoolof tape 23 is to be mounted.

Once the side cover 18 is removed from the machine pivoted upwardly in aclockwise direction, as shown in 15 FIG. 9, a retaining pin 39c (shownin FIG. 20) being urged against thebias of the spring 176 from a shallowdepression 179 in the central frame member 14 (see FIG. to a seconddepression 181 disposed thereabove. With the side cover 18 removed andthe top guide flap 39 raised to a loading position (not shown) the endof the tape may be arranged on the sprocket wheel 38 so that theperforations 28 are received over the sprocket teeth 38a. Then, the topguide flap 39 may be depressed with the finger to return it towards itsnormal position, as shown in FIG. 9. At this time, the tape may beadvanced through actuation of the trigger 13 to urge it forwardly intothe gap between first guide members 182, the bottom half of whichprojects laterally from the front frame member 17, the top halfextending laterally from the central frame member 14, as' shown in FIGS.5 and 6. Upon its exit from the first guide member 182, the strip oftape 23a passes through the second printing station 78 and thence to asecond guide member 183 arranged on the frame in a manner similar tothat of the guide member 182. Upon exit from the second guide member183, the strip of tape 23a passes into the area of the third printingstation 79 and thence into the nip between the deforming roller 32 andtape working platform 31 at the dispensing station 29.

So that the strip of tape 23a may be maintained in nonengagingrelationship with the second 102 and third 103 printing heads while atthe second 78 and third 79 printing stations a spring element 184 isarranged between the first 182 and second 183 and member 31 so as toengage the margins 26a and 26b of the strip 23a, the spring-like member184 being shown in section at FIG. 9.

When a length of tape 23a of about nine inches has been ejected from thedispensing station 29 of the machine 11, it may be fed over the tapetensioner 41 and lower roller 43, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, andinserted in the channel between the bottom guide flap 44 and thesprocket wheel 38, the bottom flap 44 being pivotable about its forwardend so that the tape 23a may be inserted between .the flap and thesprocket 38. The perforations 28 may at this moment be received over thesprocket teeth 38a and the tensioner 41 may be depressed against thebias of the spring 42 so as to maintain the lower run of tape, orbacking strip 26, in tension. From the sprocket wheel 38, the lower runof tape exits through a channel 186 to the rear of the gun. At this timethe side cover 18 may be remounted over the keeper shaft 171a, the shaftbeing retractable against the bias of the inner spring 173 and I0- tatedone-quarter turn so as to bring the outer cross-pin 176 intoregistration with the cross-slot 177 thereby to retain the cover againstthe central frame 14. At this time, the label applicator printer 11 maybe used in the normal manner as described above.

Either during loading or during normal operation of the label printerand applicator 11, it may be desirable to disengage the ratchet drivefrom the tape feed to advance or retract the tape 23a independently ofactuating the printing heads. This feature is useful should the machine11 become jammed. To this end an override clutch mechanism isincorporated upon the sprocket shaft 48, the clutch arrangementincluding the drive pin 51, as shown in FIG. 12, which is normallydisposed in a cross-slot 51a in the central portion of the first drivegear 52. The pin 51 is maintained seated within the slot 51a by acompression spring 186 arranged on the sprocket shaft 48 within thehousing 46. The spring 186 is maintained in operative association withthe shaft by means of a keeper ring 187 whereby the spring is heldagainst the inner wall of the sprocket wheel 38 serving to bias theshaft 48 axially outwardly. To override the ratchet wheel 53, connectedto the first drive wheel 52, the sprocket shaft 48 is depressed bypushing the knob 49 axially inwardly. This carries the drive pin 51 outof the associated slot 51a. Atthis point,

the shaft 48 may be rotated freely whereby the sprocket wheels 38 may berotated through the driving connection between the knob 49 and itsassociated pins. Thus, the tape' embodiment of the invention, it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made therein, and it isintended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: 1. A hand tool apparatus for printing labels on tape,comprising in combination: a frame sized to fit the hand; means forsupporting a supply of tape with respect to said frame; manuallyactuable motion supplying means on said frame for engaging said tape toadvance a length thereof along an operations path; first and secondrotary printing means mounted on said frame for severally applying in arolling motion selected indicia to said tape at predetermined portionsthereof as it is advanced along said path; synchronizing meanscooperable with said first and second printing means and said motionsupplying means to synchronize said rotatable printing means with theadvancement of said tape to ensure printing thereon in saidpredetermined portions; clutch means associated with said motionsupplying means, said clutch means including a manually graspableportion for manually actuating said clutch to permit disengagement ofsaid motion supplying means from said synchronization means, saidmanually graspable portion being rotatable to permit selective manualretraction and advancement of said tape along said operations path.

2. In apparatus for printing indicia upon pre-cut labels retained on abacking web at evenly spaced intervals as such backing web is movedalong an operations path, the combination comprising: a frame; motionsupplying means on said frame for incrementally advancing such backingweb along such path one such spaced interval at a time; rotary printinghead means mounted on said frame serving to rollably print upon thelabels, said printing head including a line of printing indicia disposedto extend transversely of the path andserving to rollingly engage onesuch label in printing relation thereto while said motion supplyingmeans advances said web one spaced interval along such path; means onsaid frame cooperatively related to said motion supplying means servingto rotate said printing head means for translating said line of printingindicia at a peripheral velocity substantially indentical to thevelocity at which such one label is being advanced during the printingthereof, and platen means extending transversely of such path serving tourge such one label into printing engagement with said line of printingindicia during rotating movement of said indicia across such label. 7

3. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said platen means isrotatably mounted on said frameand is rotated in synchronism with saidprinting head means. ;4. The combination defined in claim 2, and furtherincluding ink supply means mounted on said frame and cooperable withsaidprinting head means to engage said line of printing indicia prior toprinting on suchlabel.

5. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said printing head meansincludes a plurality of lines of selectively variable printing indicia,and ink roller means cooperable with said printing head means serving toengage only a selected one of said lines of printing indicia.

6. In apparatus for printing indicia upon pre-cut labels retained on abacking web at predetermined, evenlyi tion comprising: a frame; motionsupplying means on said frame serving to advance such backing Web alongsuch path one such spaced interval at a time; printing head meansmounted with respect to such frame for rotational movements transverselyof such path, said printing head means accommodating a multiplicity oflines of printing indicia about a circumferential periphery having alength ditfering from the length of such predetermined spaced interval,a selected one of said lines of printing indicia being adapted toprintingly engage one such label each full revolution of said printinghead means, and means cooperating with said motion supplying means forrotating said printing head means to translate said selected line ofindicia a full revolution for presenting said line of indicia to suchlabel at an instantaneous printing speed substantially equal to thespeed of advancement of such label along such path.

7. In apparatus for printing sequentially lines of indicia upon a web assuch web is advanced a space-unit, the combination comprising: a frame;motion supplying means on said frame to advance incrementally such webone space-unit at a time; a printing head rotatably mounted on saidframe to present with each revolution an axially extending line of typeto such web as the same is advanced one space-unit, said printing headincluding a plurality of co-axially arranged, circumferentiallyextending arrays of printable characters, each array having acircumference exceeding one space-unit in length; geartrain meansresponsive to said motion supplying mean-s for rotating said printinghead through one full revolution as said motion supplying means isactuated to advancing such web one space-unit, said gear-train meansbeing arranged to rotate said printing head during said one revolutionat a variable speed to accommodate the difference in distance betweensaid circumference and said spaceunit to present said line of type tosaid web at substantially the same speed that such web is advanced atthe moment of printing.

8. In a device for rolling printing of labels or the like, thecombination comprising: a printing head adapted for rolling printing ofan axially extending line of type selected from a variety of such linesavailable on a cylindrical surface of printable characters arranged onsaid head, said cylindrical surface being defined by the exten'orperipheries of a plurality of printing rings, each ring carrying aboutits exterior cylindrical periphery a variety of printable characters; acore disposed axially internally of said rings and being dimensioned topermit relative rotation with respect to said rings; detent meansserving to maintain said rings in a selected relationship on said core;an indicator portion on said head for alignment wtih said axiallyextending line of type to indicate the line to be pesented; and,selector means for rotating each of said rings with respect to said coreinto a desired relationship with said indicator portion to vary thecontent of said line of type.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 wherein the interface between saidcore and each of said rings is provided with recesses of a number equalto the number of spaces for printable characters on the exteriorperiphery of said ring, and; wherein said detent means includes anelastomer member and a projection element biased by said member into oneof said recesses to maintain said ring and said core in a selectedrelationship.

10. The combination defined in claim 8 wherein the interior periphery ofeach of said rings is provided with receses of a number equal to thenumber of spaces for printable characters on exterior periphery of saidring; said selector means including means projectionable into saidrecesses and rotatable co-axially of said core to relocate said ringwith respect to said core.

11. In a device for rolling printing at predetermined positions along amoving web, the combination comprising: a frame; a printing head mountedon said frame for rotation in a path displaced from such moving Web;said head including a selected axially extending line of printable type;platen means rotatably mounted on said frame to urge such web towardsaid printing head and into engagement with said line of type only atthe moment of printing; said printing head and said platen means havingrotational paths of different diameters; gear-train means connectingsaid printing head to said platen means serving to permit each to rotateone revolution per printing stroke and permitting substantiallyidentical peripheral speeds in the printing area at the moment ofprinting.

12. The combination defined in claim 11 wherein said gear-train meansinclude a mating pair of gears each having an oval-shaped pitch circle.

13. The combination defined in claim 11 and including ink supply meanscarried by said frame and disposed proximate to and normally outside ofthe rotational path of said printing head; means to urge said ink supplymeans toward said rotational path, and; means on said printing headadjacent said line of type serving to permit said ink supply means tomove into said rotational path for supplying ink to said line of type.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 542,358 7/1895 Carter 101-76593,961 11/1897 Edson 101-76 773,267 10/1904 Spear. 2,522,224 9/1950Hedinger 101-288 3,116,686 1/1964 Dudley 101-291 X 3,120,178 2/1964Lamers 101-288 X 3,139,025 6/1964 Chambon 101-92 3,194,717 7/1965 Albert161-113 3,194,718 7/1965 Ofiensend 161-113 ROBERT E. PULFREY, PrimaryExaminer. W. F. MCCARTHY, E. S. BURR, Assistant Examiner.

1. A HAND TOOL APPARATUS FOR PRINTING LABELS ON TAPE, COMPRISING INCOMBINATION: A FRAME SIZED TO FIT THE HAND; MEANS FOR SUPPORTING ASUPPLY OF TAPE WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME; MANUALLY ACTUABLE MOTIONSUPPLYING MEANS ON SAID FRAME FOR ENGAGING SAID TAPE TO ADVANCE A LENGTHTHEREOF ALONG AN OPERATINS PATH; FIRST AND SECOND ROTARY PRINTING MEANSMOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR SEVERALLY APPLYING IN A ROLLING MOTIONSELECTED INDICIA TO SAID TAPE AT PREDETERMINED PORTIONS THEREOF AS IT ISADVANCED ALONG SAID PATH; SYNCHRONIZING MEANS COOPERABLE WITH SAID FIRSTAND SECOND PRINTING MEANS AND SAID MOTION SUPPLYING MEANS TO SYNCHRONIZESAID ROTATABLE PRINTING MEANS WITH THE ADVANCEMENT OF SAID TAPE TOENSURE PRINTING THEREON IN SAID PREDETERMINED PORTIONS; CLUTCH MEANSASSOCIATED WITH SAID MOTION SUPPLYING MEANS, SAID CLUTCH MEANS INCLUDINGA MANUALLY GRASPABLE PORTION FOR MANUALLY ACTUATING SAID CLUTCH TOPERMIT DISENGAGEMENT OF SAID MOTION SUPPLYING MEANS FROM SAIDSYNCHRONIZATION MEANS, SAID MANUALLY GRASPABLE PORTION BEING ROTATABLETO PERMIT SELECTIVE MANUAL RETRACTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF SAID TAPE ALONGSAID OPERATIONS PATH.